FOR a talon-ted candidate, it could be the perfect opportunity for their dreams to take flight.

This Oxfordshire birds of prey attraction is hunting for an apprentice falconer.

The successful candidate, probably a school leaver, will work with a variety of hawks as well as meerkats, skunks and raccoons.

The jobs involve everything from cleaning out the kestrels and keeping an eagle eye on the eagles to going searching for escaped owls.

Sharon Channon, who has run Millets Farm Falconry Centre with her husband James for the past four years, said a good sense of humour was essential.

She said: "You're working with animals and they can be unpredictable: they've all got their own personalities, some can be stroppy, some are happy, and the birds can go missing so sometimes you have to go searching for them.

"You're doing something different every day, there are always different challenges, but it's so lovely caring for the animals and seeing them develop."

The apprenticeship is full-time – 40 hours and five days a week – and will last for approximately one year.

At the end, the young sparrowhawk will achieve an NVQ level 2 and 3 in animal management.

As for money, a bird in the hand is worth about £3.40 an hour: the job is paid in line with national apprenticeship wage guidelines which are currently £3.40 an hour for anyone in the first year of an apprenticeship.

There may also be the opportunity to become part of the falconry flock at the end of it all.

Mr and Mrs Channon, now 32 and 40, set up Millets Farm Falconry Centre in May 2013.

They used to run Fallowfields Falconry at the Fallowfields Hotel in Southmoor but moved out just before that business closed.

Along with head falconer Luke and current apprentice Abby they now care for more than 90 birds of prey including a golden eagle, a great horned owl and a turkey vulture.

They fly about 30 birds each day and also have ferrets and a variety of reptiles on show.

And, with thousands of visitors flocking to see the demonstrations throughout the summer, candidates will need to be very good at making feathered friends.

For more information go to milletsfarmfalconry.co.uk and click on the 'vacancy' link.

The closing date for applications is April 18.